NATIONAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 13

NATIONAL

“LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED” The great air epic, “The Legion of the Condemned,” is still attracting crowds to the National Theatre. It would be impossible to imagine a picture more complete or conveying a more vivid impression of the thrills of the war in the air than this fine picture. The story is of a youth who, disappointed in love, flings himself embittered into a group of self-con-demned men who chose an honourable death upon the field of battle rather than yield to the inglorious fate that hounded each of them. He becomes one of the most daring pilots of the group, always fighting with his comrades for the most hazardous exploit of all, that of landing spies behind the German lines. He is suddenly seized with a desire to live when he discovers that the girl he supposed had betrayed him was really a member of the secret service, and that he has been assigned to carry her over the lines. They fall into a trap, but as they face the firing squad, awaiting* the fatal volley, members of the Legion arrive, and in the turmoil the two escape. The production was directed l*y AV uliam Wellman, who directed “Wings,” and as members of the cast in support of Gary Cooper and Fay Wray in the leading roles, are such “aces” as Captain S. C. Campbell. Edward Parsons and Robert de Couedic. Special synchronised sound effects are reproduced in the theatre with an Editrola during the screening ot the film. , An interesting programme of smaller fi ms is presented, including a gazette, comedy, and an astonishing film entitled "Cruising in the Arctic. ’ The augmented orchestra, under the direction of Mr. F. Bartlet. plays suitable musical accompaniment. Willard Mack lias completed an original store, "Hunter.” for M-G-M. This will be an all-dialogue picture. Alack will direct as well as play the leading character. Duane Thompson and Nurj Doran will have the chief feminine roles, and the cast will also include Robert Ames and John Miljan.